Share your history of feeder/waterer setups pros and cons?

[LifeSimpleAndSweet]

I originally had a 3"d PVC pipe screwed to the side of my cooper. It had a three way split on the bottom, and I'd fill it from the top. It worked quite well, and stayed clean, but I stopped using it because flocks of sparrows were almost  doubling feed consumption. I now use a hanging 2 gallon bucket with a large I-bolt dangling in the middle. There is a block of wood screwed on the bolt, and when the chickens peck at it, a small amount of feed falls to the ground for them.

I'd love to see a picture!

 

[Devyn Nagy]

I'd love to see a picture!

@LifeSimpleAndSweet

 

[Devyn Nagy]

@LifeSimpleAndSweet
View attachment 3500992View attachment 3500993

Bucket gotten free from the Costco bakery. I believe there was originally frosting in it!

 

[jus10inla]

Watering system.. 3” pipe, top section cut out. Piped to 5 gallon bucket with shut off valve.

Pros;
multi birds can drink at once,
open top of bucket collects rainwater
large volume..
has had float valve plumbed so always stays full

Cons;
wooden feet have to be changed every few months
cleaning larger area
bucket has to be disconnected to rinse out

 

[The Birb King]

I'm looking into trying some new ways to feed and water the chickens when I build the coop.
Since I'm making plans now, it would be a good time for me to decide which way I want to go.
I'm seeing some really cool and innovative ideas in blogs and vlogs but, very often, each one talks about the pros and not the cons.

I am betting that a lot of people here have tried a lot of different ways and have found what worked for their situation and what didn't and why.
I am hoping that you will all share your wisdom so I can make a good call before I start building.

I've pretty much done old school since I was a girl, galvanized vacuum waterer on the ground
and galvanized feed trough on legs on the ground.
I'm ready for something else!


View attachment 3487013

View attachment 3487017

I am not a huge fan of those medal trough feeders I used to use them. They dont hold a ton of feed, the break kind of easily, they get dirty easily, and they rust. I prefer the hanging feeders. I currently use rubber bowls for waterers but I would like to make some bucket waterers this summer with cups attached.

 

[jus10inla]

Feeding system

Pros;
large capacity. Can hold 150 lb of feeed, i only put in 100 lb
multi bird use (chicks up to full size.. including ducks.)

cons.
lid has to be changed ever few months

 

[jus10inla]

both of my water / feed are duck friendly. I have a never ending suply of plywood so the minimal work materials are easy to acquire

 

[LifeSimpleAndSweet]

@LifeSimpleAndSweet
View attachment 3500993

That is very clever to use an eye bolt they can peck at!

 

[LifeSimpleAndSweet]

both of my water / feed are duck friendly. I have a never ending suply of plywood so the minimal work materials are easy to acquire

I'm currently stuck on "never-ending supply of plywood".

Lumber is more valuable than jewels.

 

[Chickin Fairy]

Pictures attached. I started out with the chickwater/feeders from Amazon's rent-a-coop. Hated the feeder, liked the waterer. For chicks, I suggest the metal round hole feeder with no extra tube for feed. I had to constantly pull the feed into the holes with the plastic one that was supposed to be gravity fed.

I started them with the galvanized suction waterer and gravity feeder. They were okay. They both had a lot of run litter in them and there was never a guarantee that they wouldn't poop in them. I will probably use the metal waterer again in the winter because I purchased a metal plate heater and it worked great through the winter. You can't hang it, though, because the loop on top will separate from the welded piece. So, have to pull it to get water flowing. Had these about a year. The clear lining has started to peel from the inside of the waterer and the suction isn't great anymore, and the feeder has welded brackets holding in the springs. One of the welds popped, so it's a little cockeyed now. Also, I have to clean them about once a week with a vinegar/water combo or they will rust.

I just bought the cups and the single feed holes on Amazon that you install into 5 gallon buckets. I have the water sitting on blocks and even though it gets litter in it, the cups are easy to twist and clean out and retighten from the inside. I don't need to fill their water for about 2 weeks. I haven't had issues like some others with one cup turning enough to drain the bucket. The feeder... they are brats and dig through it, tossing feed out to find that perfect seed. Lots of food in the run.

My biggest problem is I have a bantam in the flock, so I have to keep everything lower than I want to. I just ordered a seperate single feeder for my bantam. The food will be lower for her so I can raise the main bucket feeder. I'm hoping it solves some of the problems with food waste. The waterer is fine for all but I'm thinking of switching to nipples because just all the messy water.

I just have buckets out in their free range area since you need to have clean water access at all times. However my chickens won't drink from them unless they are topped off

Nothing will ever be perfect. Prepare for a lot of trial and error here until you find something that works for you, but great to ask for options and opinions!